Gary Lloyd Russ

Gary Russ, our loving father, grandfather and devoted husband passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Gary was born in Minneapolis and married his high school sweetheart, Nancie Arnlund when they were just 21 years old.

Flying was one of Gary's passions. He earned his pilot licenses at Crystal Airport and was then hired by Northwest Airlines in 1966. He retired in 2001 and served as a Senior Boeing 747 Captain. In 1996, Gary was awarded ALPA's prestigious Superior Airmanship Award. Gary's job also led to moving the family to the Dash Point/Browns Point neighborhood of Tacoma where Gary and Nancie lived for the next 55 years.

Sports was another passion for Gary. Not only was he a very accomplished football, basketball, and track athlete in high school, but a very successful coach as an adult. He coached kids soccer team to multiple state championships and the first national championship for a Washington State Youth Soccer team. Gary and the family loved following the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings.

Nancie and Gary loved to travel and visited all corners of the world, often with their great friends Larry and Mavis Stears. After retirement, he continued to work with Larry in many real estate projects-too numerous to mention.

Gary loved and is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancie Russ (Arnlund), children, Jeff (and Tara), Jason (and Kelly), Tanya Reber (and Joe), five grandchildren, Kayla, Kolton, Piper, Finn, and Laney, four step grandchildren, Mitchell, Lauren, Christian and Ashley, and his special granddaughter Kamrey who preceded him in death. Gary and Kamrey are now looking down on us.

Services will be held at Christ Lutheran Church 2501 SW 320th St., Federal Way, WA, 98023 on Monday, October 20th at 11am.

Family burial will follow at Woodbine Cemetery, Puyallup.